July 18, 2009

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JAM POD NOV 21


Madonna stage deaths probe launched
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Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation in the collapse of a stage being built for a weekend concert by Madonna that killed two people. (Associated Press file photo)


French police are investigating the collapse of Madonna's stage in Marseille as a manslaughter case after two workers were killed in the tragic accident.

One French man was crushed to death and several others injured on Thursday when a crane used to put stage lights into place fell, causing a large section of the stage at Marseilles' Stade Velodrome to collapse on top of workers underneath.

A British man died from his injuries on Friday morning.

Authorities are trying to find out how the tragedy happened, and assistant prosecutor Marc Simamonti has confirmed that officials from the prosecutor's office for manslaughter and involuntary injuries in a work-related accident have been assigned to the investigation.

The victims have yet to officially be identified, but Madonna paid tribute to the two who lost their lives building her set for her Sticky & Sweet tour.

Referring to the pair as "The Two Charlies", she fought back tears at her concert in Udine, Italy on Thursday, when she told the crowd, "You may have heard of it... When they were building my show in Marseille, where we're going next - we don't know why, but one of the cranes fell... Two men lost their lives, it was a great tragedy to me.

"I feel so, so devastated to be in any way associated with anyone suffering. Let's all just take a moment to say a prayer for The Two Charlies. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones... We are so blessed and lucky to be alive."

Madonna was due to kick off the first of five shows at the stadium on Sunday, but that date has now been cancelled. As WENN went to press, it was not known whether the four remaining concerts would still go ahead.


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